RECORD FLIGHT FROM CAPE

Southland Times, Issue 23740, 11 February 1939, Page 7

RECORD FLIGHT FROM CAPE

HENSHAW’S DOUBLE TRIUMPH EXHAUSTION THROUGH LOSS OF BLOOD (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received February 10, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, February 9. Mr A. Henshaw, the young Englishman who flew to Cape Town in 39g hours, landed at Gravesend at 1.51 (Greenwich mean time) today, beating Flying Officer A. E. Clouston’s record by 17 hours 27 minutes. , Mr Henshaw completed the double flight in four days 10 hours, beating Flying Officer Clouston’s record. The instrument board and Mr Henshaw's coat were drenched with blood. Mr Henshaw said it was most bumpy over the last stage. His nose had been bleeding since 7.15 a.m.. In spite of exhaustion he made a perfect landing. When lifted out of the aeroplane he was unable to stand and was carried to the Customs building, but he speedily recovered. Mr Henshaw left Gao, a small village in Western Sudan, last night after five hours’ rest. He sent a wireless message saying that he expected to reach Oran this morning, and would take off from there immediately for London after refuelling. Mr Henshaw left Oran for London at 7.48 a.m. He was then several hours behind schedule.

Mr Henshaw who is 20 years old, won the King’s Cup air race last year. He took ,off from Gravesend at 3.35 a.m. last Monday for the Cape and landed at 6.59 p.m. on Tuesday (Greenwich mean time)—39>,i> hours from London, compared with Flying Officer Clouston’s record of 45 hours.